Health Insurance Now Covers Nearly Half of Gandaki Province’s Population

Health insurance coverage in Gandaki Province has reached 49 percent of the population, with over 1.2 million people enrolled out of the province’s total population of approximately 2.47 million.

The update was shared during a program held in Pokhara on Monday to mark the 9th Health Insurance Day, organized by the Health Insurance Board’s Gandaki Province Office.

Speaking at the event, Jiblal Kharel, Coordinator of the Gandaki Province Health Insurance Board, said the number of people enrolling in health insurance continues to rise. He emphasized ongoing efforts to expand the program’s reach, aiming to include more members of the general public.

Kharel noted that while the health insurance model has proven successful globally and is gaining traction in Nepal, there is still a tendency to spread negative perceptions about it. He called for the promotion of positive information to encourage greater participation.

Dr. Ramesh KC, Health Administrator at the Ministry of Health of Gandaki Province and Member-Secretary of the Province’s Health Insurance Coordination Committee, highlighted the global legacy of health insurance, which spans 142 years. In Nepal, the program has been in place for the past nine years. He stressed the need for effective implementation during its early phase in the country.

Dr. KC also underscored the importance of coordinated efforts among beneficiaries, service-providing hospitals, and the Health Insurance Board to ensure the program’s success. He pointed out that improving service quality must go hand-in-hand with increasing coverage.

Medical professionals and representatives from hospitals across the province, including Manipal Teaching Hospital, Western Regional Hospital, Drishti Eye Hospital, and Matri Shishu Hospital, also shared their insights during the event. They addressed the current status of the insurance scheme and the challenges it faces, ranging from awareness gaps to service delivery hurdles.